Forever lost

3

Flashback

"Lilly has been a bit fussy these last few days; it's probably just a minor cold. But if she gets worse, there's children's ibuprofen under the sink."

These last few days at the official residence of the royal family have been truly hectic. It's the first official trip the kings are going to take without their children accompanying them, and they've been perfecting every detail to ensure that everything is flawless and without any incidents.

"Alex has to finish his science project on the digestive system, and the twins have decided to swap names now," Jane rambles, trying to share with Martha every little detail of what has happened in their children's lives during the weeks she hasn't been present due to vacation.

"Darling, they'll be fine," Robert interrupts her from where he's standing, holding Lilly on his hip and watching his two twin sons try to build a paper airplane. "Right, baby? Tell mom how well you're going to behave." He now addresses his half-asleep daughter. Lilly doesn't bother to respond, too comfortable in her father's arms.

Jane is about to respond to her husband when a residence staff member peeks his head through the door.

"Your Majesties, the car is ready to go," he informs the family.

"Very well, thank you," the man nods and exits the room. "All right, kids, I want a hug and about fifteen kisses from each of you," Robert jokes.

Ethan rolls his eyes at his father's jest. He's what you might call selectively affectionate, with moments when he only wants to be hugged by his parents and moments when he'd prefer nobody came within three meters of him.

Apollo, on the other hand, would love to be permanently attached to his mother. So, he doesn't hesitate to run to hug her. Jane receives him with open arms, and they share a hug that seems to last for hours.

Alex walks over to his father and gives him a brief but tight hug. Despite being the oldest, he must admit he doesn't like it when his parents have to travel. He enjoys when his family is all together, making plans as a whole.

Quietly, Robert hands Lilly to her mother before surprising Ethan from behind and tossing him over his back. "Did you think you could escape without giving me a hug?" he teases, tickling him and hugging him tightly.

He then hands him to his mother, who embraces him.

Finally, much to their reluctance, the king and queen prepare to leave and bid their children farewell with a final air kiss. The children run to the window, waving to their parents until their car turns the corner and disappears from view.

"How about we make some homemade cookies and then watch a movie and take care of that science project, huh?" Martha suggests to the group of children to try to distract them.

                                                                                              —

"Lilly, you're spilling everything," Alex tells his sister. Honoring his tittle of big brother he behaves like a protective mother hen to all his siblings, not tolerating anyone messing with them or seeing any of them suffer. Alex quickly helps his sister clean up the chocolate chip mess.

"Lilly you made a mess," Apollo laughs, watching his siblings trying to sort out the disaster.

"Apollo, be quiet," Alex scolds.

"Hey, I'm Apollo," Ethan joins the conversation, trying to confuse his brother.

"You're not Apollo, you're Ethan," Alex says confidently.